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Charleston Airmen support community after fire tragedy

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Paul Kilgallon
  • 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Team Charleston presented the chief of the Charleston fire department a check for $13,187 June 29 to assist the families of the nine Charleston fire department firefighters who lost their lives battling a fire in Charleston June 18.

After hearing of the tragedy, Airmen from the 437th Operations Support Squadron Combat Operations and Tactics Flight wanted to figure out a way to help the families of those who lost their lives.

"When we heard about the firefighters, our hearts really went out to the families," said Tech. Sgt. Sidney Deleon-Mazariejos, 437 OSS NCO in charge of training of the Special Weapons Tactics Flight. "The families of the firefighters are really going through some difficult times right now and the last thing they need to worry about is bills, so we figured the best way to try to help them out would be to start up a collection."

Sergeant Deleon-Mazariejos said he got the idea of starting a collection from seeing a commercial on television where similar collection funds were being established for the fallen heroes.

"My vision for the OSS is to be a squadron of selfless and relentless Airmen. Sergeant Deleon-Mazariejos and the joint airdrop inspection shop really personified that vision with this undertaking," said Lt. Col. Corey Martin, 437 OSS commander. "Their leadership of this fundraiser will have a lasting impact on the community as it honors the sacrifices of Charleston's firefighters."

The combat operations and tactics flight began their collection efforts by setting up their donation booths the weekend of June 23 at a near-by supermarket and local mall. At the end of a two-day period, they raised $4,000 in contributions from the local community.

Senior Airman Richard Mras, a joint airdrop inspector also assigned to the 437 OSS Combat Operations and Tactics flight, said their next goal was to raise as much as they could on base as they did off base.

"We set up booths at the shopette, commissary and at the base exchange," said Airman Mras. "At first, we thought we would have problems getting additional volunteers but our first sergeant was great getting the news out to everyone in our squadron and around the base. We had no problems manning any of the booths."

Airman Mras said the booths ran from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and that everyone from his section, squadron and base really pitched in and helped to make this happen.

"Sergeant Deleon-Mazariejos, Airman Mras and our tactics flight are a prime example of the caliber of Airmen we have in the 437 OSS and here at Charleston AFB," said Master Sgt. Paul Yecke, 437 OSS first sergeant. "They took this project on for the wing to show our respect and appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice the Charleston firefighters and their families have made."

In less than a week, through the contributions of on and off base community members, Team Charleston managed to raise more than $13,000 to donate to the firefighters' families.

The check was presented to Fire Chief Rusty Thomas at the downtown fire station in a small ceremony just outside the fire station where members of the community placed flowers and wreaths to honor the firefighters who died.

During the check presentation, Chief Thomas expressed how much he appreciated the generosity of the men and women of the Charleston AFB.

He said that the contributions Team Charleston raised would go directly to the families of the fallen heroes and that both he and the families appreciate everything everyone has done during this time of mourning.

"The check we presented on behalf of Team Charleston June 29 reflects how we feel about teamwork," said Colonel John Michel, 437th Airlift Wing vice commander. "This effort demonstrates how teamwork does not end at the gate nor is it confined by our fence line; it's about celebrating with the community in good times and helping in the difficult times."